Nissan's Datsun nameplate launches first new car, the Go

Datsun unveiled the first new Datsun car for the 21st century. The all-new… (Nissan / Wieck )

After resurrecting the Datsun nameplate from the automotive graveyard in 2012, Nissan’s global budget-minded brand is out with its first new model.

The company on Monday unveiled the Datsun Go, a small four-door, five-seat hatchback that will go on sale in India in early 2014.

"This is an historic day for Nissan Motor Company and for our customers and partners in some of the world's fastest-growing markets," said Nissan Motor President and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn as he unveiled the car in Delhi, India.

Nissan plans to use the Datsun brand to expand into global markets such as Russia, Indonesia and South Africa. The Go is the first of several Datsun models that will be launched in 2014.

The Go will be front-wheel-drive and will have a 1.2-liter engine and a five-speed manual transmission. It will sell for less than 400,000 Indian Rupees, which is about $6,690 based on current conversion rates.

Nissan said the small car’s name pays homage to the DAT-GO, the first vehicle the company sold in Japan nearly a century ago.

The car will be built at a joint Renault-Nissan production facility in Oragadam, India.